Revelations that the Ministry of Defence could face yet more swingeing cuts next year have been greeted with anguish in Fife, home to closure-threatened RAF Leuchars.
News of what has been described as a “further wave” of cutbacks in 2012 comes in the wake of 2010’s strategic defence and security review (SDSR).
With RAF Leuchars already under threat as a result of that inquiry, North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell called news of potential fresh cuts “grim.”
It is understood a three-month study, reporting in July, will consider how even more personnel and equipment programmes could be axed.
The new review comes hot on the heels of October’s contentious SDSR, which outlined measures to slash thousands of personnel, scrap the Harrier fleet and Nimrod spy planes and retire the HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier.
Proposals being considered could also lead to RAF Leuchars being axed.
The Ministry of Defence insisted it was not reopening the SDSR but was looking at balancing “defence priorities and the budget over the long term.”
“The three-month study is part of that work to ensure we match our assumptions with our spending settlement,” a spokesman said.
“We have made it clear that, while the SDSR had made substantial inroads into the £38 billion funding deficit, there is still more to be done.”
The deep cuts unveiled in 2010 set out the future shape and size of Britain’s armed forces. Under the proposals, the defence budget is to fall by 8% over the next four years.
The MoD is to cut its civilian personnel by 25,000 by 2015, army numbers will be reduced by 7000 to 95,500, and navy manpower by 5000 to 30,000. Meanwhile, RAF forces will be reduced by 5000 to 33,000.Additional savingsHowever, it appears the MoD now wants to make further savings for the financial year ending in March.
Potential targets reportedly include HMS Illustrious, Britain’s last surviving aircraft carrier, which is due back from a refit next year.
News of the fresh review came as defence secretary Liam Fox unveiled a new military covenant, which promises extra help for the armed forces and will enshrine their rights in law.
The timing of a potential fresh review was not lost on former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who has fought for the retention of RAF Leuchars.
“If these reports are true they will make grim reading for our armed forces,” Sir Menzies told The Courier. “By a remarkable irony, they have emerged on the same day as the defence secretary is announcing better terms and conditions for those who serve in the military.
“The best possible provision in a new military covenant would surely be certainty of continuing employment.”
Speaking during defence questions at Westminster on Monday, Sir Menzies raised concerns over MoD “leaks” about the future of RAF Leuchars.
Defence minster Nick Harvey stated “categorically” that no decisions have been made and attacked the ill-informed views being circulated to the media.
In Arbroath, Councillor Donald Morrison said RM Condor in Arbroath was always one of the sites mentioned whenever budget cuts were mooted.
He added, “Whenever they carry out a review it always seems Condor is first on the list.
“The base has a strong history in Arbroath and the current troops that are out in Afghanistan just now, doing such a wonderful job, have the backing of the Arbroath public.
“It is important that Condor continues to operate because there has been a base in the town since the Second World War and there is a long connection with Arbroath and the rest of Angus.”